A new exhibition, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) Show, has been launched as a national showcase for innovation, networking and knowledge transfer for the industry and equipment end users. The event, which takes place in Hall 19 at the NEC on 13 to 15 March 2012, will enable visitors to see the latest products and technology coming on-stream across the commercial and industrial air conditioning and refrigeration sector.

Visitors will also have free access to leading experts in three days of cutting edge seminars, which will run throughout the event in twin auditoriums on the exhibition floor.

The show, the only national event of its kind and launched with the backing of key organisations and companies, will also have a dedicated arena for heat pump technology, where visitors can see the latest contenders in the race to harness low-cost renewable energy.

Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment accounts for around 20 per cent of total UK energy consumption. With energy costs rocketing, cutting running costs is a key issue for end users. This will be reflected in the high profile seminar programme, with practical presentations showing how the trade can help users reduce running costs and cut carbon emissions.

Other core themes will be:

• the impact of F-Gas legislation on the trade and equipment users;
• how to respond to the imminent phase-out of R22 refrigerant – still one of the most common refrigerants in use;
• and the latest developments in alternative cooling systems that don’t depend on high global warming HFCs.

More than 100 companies are expected to exhibit, with more than half of the available space already booked, according to the organisers.

Confirmed exhibitors include air conditioning companies Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Panasonic and Toshiba; wholesaler Thermofrost Cryo, tool supplier Javac UK, commercial refrigeration company Hubbard, fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg, equipment specialist GEA Searle, plus ITE, Ritchie Engineering, Advanced Engineering, Refco, Pump House, Johnson Matthey, Charles Austen Pumps and SWEP International to name a few.

The show is being launched with the backing of leading industry organisations, including the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), British Refrigeration Association (BRA), Heat Pump Association (HPA) and HEVAC Association.

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